How to Successfully Handle Unemployment Challenges and Stay Positive On Your Career Journey

The pandemic has transformed the lives and livelihoods of many people around the globe. It has generated economic downturns for businesses and unemployment challenges for employees, even those working in the gig economy. These uncertainties have understandably taken a toll on many Malaysians' mental well-being.

Uncertainties In Your Career Journey

There are many uncertainties in the current job market. It has become a significant cause of stress for jobseekers ever since the pandemic hit the world. With the Great Resignation sweeping across Asia and layoffs happening from big to small companies, competition is high for jobseekers looking to get out of unemployment. 

According to Labour Statistics Malaysia, the unemployment rate declined to below 4% for the first time after two years of the pandemic in the country. Businesses are recovering, requiring more talent to fill their needed roles. It is a great time to explore career opportunities, but many Malaysian jobseekers are anxious to get out of the unemployment slump.

Everyone has faced unemployment challenges in their career journey. It can be an overwhelming place to be in. So, how do you handle stress and stay positive while unemployed?

Importance of Keeping a Positive Mindset During Unemployment

Being unemployed can be devastating on every level—professionally, financially, and emotionally. Your career journey affects your identity and sense of self-worth. It’s important to identify your stressors to help take care of your mental health, especially during prolonged uncertainty.

Your ability to cope with the stress of unemployment can boost your job search and get you back to work faster. How you respond to stress is a critical competence that any potential employer will value. It shows how you understand yourself and is a good foundation for personal and professional development. 

Here are some tips to help you handle the stress of unemployment and stay positive while job searching:

Stressor 1: Feeling sad and frustrated

When you find yourself in between jobs, it is entirely normal to have doubts and frustrations. These thoughts can be debilitating. Burying these emotions will not make them disappear—repressing them may only worsen them.

How to cope: Acknowledge your emotions as valid

Start by acknowledging your feelings and knowing that whatever you feel is valid. Take time to process these emotions and healthily channel them. Remember to be kind to yourself.

Stressor 2: Getting anxiety from the job hunt

Searching for a new job can take a toll on you. Attending interview after interview and getting rejected can be frustrating. This might affect your ability to think clearly and harm your job search.

How to cope: Take breaks in between applying for jobs

Take breaks to clear your mind. This is the perfect time to reflect and evaluate yourself. You can take this unemployment challenge to reassess your goals and pinpoint your career motivations. Better yet, you can update your skills inventory to help you improve your resume. 

Stressor 3: Losing your sense of purpose

When you are unemployed, you may have a tendency to lose your sense of purpose and direction. An erratic and irregular schedule will add to your stress and may worsen your anxiety.

How to cope: Develop a routine to keep structure in your life

Set direction for yourself by writing down your daily tasks and sticking to this schedule. Checking off these tasks on your list can give you control and productivity. Maintain a daily routine to help you be goal-oriented and ready to reenter the workforce.

Stressor 4: Psyching yourself out about the competition

Competition is fierce in today's job market. You may feel the pressure to keep up with the demand and lose confidence in the process. 

How to cope: Develop your skills

Use this time in your life to start investing in your skills. Learning new skills can boost your career opportunities and keep your mind fresh. You can quickly search for the in-demand skills in your chosen field and develop them during this time.

Stressor 5: Letting yourself go

Without your usual routine, you might just sit at home and binge. You might take comfort in food, leading to weight gain and lower self-esteem. This is a vicious cycle that can happen when you are inactive. 

How to cope: Get moving with some exercise

One key to maintaining mental health is keeping your physical health up. Exercising helps clear your mind and boosts your mood. It creates a sense of accomplishment and turns your downtime into valuable time.

Stressor 6: Managing your finances

One of the significant unemployment stresses is handling your finances. You can lessen the negative impact of job loss by reviewing your spending habits. Maintaining your financial health during unemployment is key to managing your emotional wellness.

How to cope: Create a budget

Start by reviewing your cash flow and where you stand financially. Knowing how much you are spending and where you can cut expenses and increase savings is essential during this time. Budget your expenses to help you gain a better sense of control over your finances.

Stressor 7: Feeling overwhelmed

Some unemployment challenges are simply out of your control. For example, you can't control the decisions of potential employers or the demand of the job market. If you dwell on things you can't control, it's likely to cause you even more stress.

How to cope: Learn your triggers

Anxiety happens when you think you don't have control over things. Learn what triggers your anxiety so that you can take a minute and examine the situation when you find yourself worrying. This way, you can focus on the things you can control and avoid the stress.

Stressor 8: Undergoing impatience

Job search is a process. You can't expect to get a call the minute after you send out your application. It might take time, and overthinking it will not speed up the process.

How to cope: Try other means of income

Explore other means of income to cope with this unemployment challenge. You might discover hidden skills and interests that satisfy your career progression. You may even shift your career, going for a new avenue closer to what you really want. 

Stressor 9: Coping unhealthily

Handling stress while unemployed can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms. You might spend way more time on the internet, leading to doom scrolling. The deluge of information online can take a toll on your mental health. 

How to cope: Maintain balance in your life

While it is essential to keep yourself updated with current events, control negative emotions at bay by limiting the time you spend reading the news, such as 30 minutes to one hour a day. Make a conscious effort to limit negative content and look for positive stories that make you feel good.

Stressor 10: Doing things all on your own

Facing unemployment might make you feel ashamed and tend to withdraw from social interactions. The truth is you need the support of friends and family during this difficult time to keep motivated.

How to cope: Reach out to your social circle

Surround yourself with people that encourage and inspire you. You can also try networking to build a solid connection with people within the industry you want to pursue. Opportunities come from others, so make sure everyone knows you are on the market for a new job.

How you handle unemployment challenges is a great skill to show your resilience during uncertain times. But, do make sure to take care of your mental health while going through the process. When you are ready to scout for new job opportunities, #LetsGetToWork and update your JobStreet Profile and get the latest updates in your desired industry.

For more expert tips on navigating the job market, visit the JobStreet Career Resources Hub or download the JobStreet app on Google Play or App Store for easier access to career guides.